Charleston, SC Local Knowledge

[SV Demeter]

Planning to do Charleston Race week in April with some friends and a 33' custom boat. Looking for affordable place to launch boat and step rig. Boat will be on trailer and rig is carbon so not too heavy.

Also looking for a house to rent from April 18-23.

Any suggestions appreciated!

[Lowcountry]

There is a free boat ramp on the Wappoo cut just south of Charleston (Ashley River side). There is another free ramp at Remley's Point, which is in Mt. Pleasant on the Cooper/Wando side (just north of the Ravenel Bridge). Both are about the same distance from the harbor itself.
Can't help with the lodging, unfortunately. Why not sleep on the boat?

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

There is a free boat ramp on the Wappoo cut just south of Charleston (Ashley River side). There is another free ramp at Remley's Point, which is in Mt. Pleasant on the Cooper/Wando side (just north of the Ravenel Bridge). Both are about the same distance from the harbor itself.
Can't help with the lodging, unfortunately. Why not sleep on the boat?

We are probably going to rent a house as there will be 8 of us and the boat is not in anyway a cruiser...

Any thoughts on cheap place with a crane or gin pole setup for rig stepping? Boat carrys the same carbon spar as a Melges 32 so its pretty light just big.

[Lowcountry]

Check with the City Marina at (843)-723-5098 or 577-7702 about using their crane to step your rig. You may even be allowed to use their ramp.

[Nibiruwayne]

Hey, be aware of tidal currents in Chas. A 3 to 6 knot current makes launching and maneuvering a sailboat difficult. A small outboard may not be enough. One solution is to launch at high or low tide, but not mean tide when current is strong.
Wappoo cut, mentioned above, has a low draw bridge to the west of the launch ramp. A sailboat can't clear unless the bridge is opened.
My advice is to study a chart and decide where you want to sail. Then launch accordingly.
April is busy. So cheap place hard to come by.

[SV Demeter]

Thanks! Will keep that in mind. The boat has an outboard but motors pretty well (7-8kts). What we are looking for is chape place with a crane or gin pole to use to step the rig.

[lolarose]

regarding charleston,

i was in charleston in 1979 as a second mate on the big bulk carrier. . i sent this post card to my brother and i wonder is this "boat" still there.

thanks

[SV Demeter]

Ha ha as a matter of fact the Yorktown is still there:

Patriots Point - Explore Museum - USS YORKTOWN CV-10

[Lowcountry]

Yes, the Yorktown is indeed still here. I am at my office desk looking at her from across the Cooper river right now.
As for the 3-6kt current, that is a *bit* of an exagerration. 2-3kt tops. You may get a 6kt current in Elliott Cut (what most people refer to as Wappoo Cut), but that is only because it is a narrow, man-made cut.

[CaptainBW]

If you want to look at charts and do some research try using www.activecaptain.com. It is a good tool for finding ramps and marina services.

[CarlF]

I would give the Charleston Harbor Marina (over by the Yorktown) a call and pick their brain in a friendly way. This was race week headquarters last year with the parties, etc.

The area is all a park and there are a bunch of public access facilities. The marina is private but they also have some special deals. They used to have free dockage on a first come, first served basis on a dock without electricity.

And the U.S.S Yorktown right next door has some great cranes to lift planes and such aboard. Would make short work of your mast if you could talk them into it

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